NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the Cavs draft, the recent news in the NBA & NFL, and the biggest questions facing the teams in the AFC South & West.

The Indians are struggling as usual. Those of you that listen to NNR know all I expect from the Tribe is that they stay interesting until the Browns opens training camp. Unfortunately that seldom happens.

The problem is that while his nephew James L. Dolan is willing to spend big bucks on the New York Knicks, Larry Dolan is a tightwad in owning the Indians. Evidently Larry has never heard the adage “it takes money to make money.”

The Knicks are the 5th highest payroll in the NBA. In 2014-15 they spent 80.1 million. The Tribe is the 26th highest spending team spending 63.8 million.

The Tribe is offensively and defensively challenged. If the good pitching gives up 2 runs, the team has little chance of winning. If the questionable defense adds an unearned run, the team has no chance of coming back.

Early this year several “experts” were expecting the Tribe to get into the playoffs. That prediction was in the dumpster after the first month of the season.

I know Larry is old but either sell the team or let a few moths fly out of your purse and spend some money on the team to bring in a couple of solid offensive players. Otherwise the Tribe will have more relief pitchers in the bullpen than fans in the seats.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels onand a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

The Tribe has been called one of the top teams in MLB this season. That is much more attention that the team deserves. The team has pretty good pitching but will struggle again scoring runs and preventing unearned runs.

The top 3 starters are solid. Starters 4 and 5 are still question marks. But compared to the offense the pitching is outstanding. Last year the team lost way too many games where the pitching held the opponent to 3 runs or less.

The only offensive addition was outfielder Brandon Moss. The team needed at least a second right handed power hitter. The rest of the O is a problem. Michael Bourn is solid if he is healthy. That is anything but a sure thing. The other players are inconsistent.

The defense is also an issue. Last season the team has the worst defense in the American League. Getting Lonnie Chisenhall off the field will help but there are still issues.

Given the issues that both Kansas City and Detroit have had the Tribe has a chance to over take them. But unless they can fix the D and do better on O it will be a long season.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels onand a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Paul Banks of Sportsbank.net and Chicagonow.com joined me to talk about the NFL, league drug policy and the Browns.

Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports joined me to talk Browns, AFC North and some Tribe talk as well. We also announced that she will be my co-host for the Browns Monday analysis shows this season. Those of you that are regulars know she brings an insight, and sense of humor that is critical to withstand another nail biting year following the Browns.

On Wednesday former Browns QB Kelly Holcomb is scheduled to join us for a special podcast about the mobile QB. Be sure to join us for all of these on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on http://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. He also edits http://fryingpanpolitics.org/. To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels onand a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/.

Thursday Feb. 28 at 6PM EST join Samantha Bunten, Senior Sports Editor at CineSport, and me as we discuss the Browns coaching staff changes, the team needs, and outlook for free agency. We might get into a little Indians talk as well.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels onand a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/.

Be part of the show by calling our SportSims.com hotline at 216-539-0607.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits http://fryingpansports.com and was a senior writer for . He has also published several novels onand a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/.